The NBA: Top Ten Disappointments of 2012-2013 (so far)

In the
spirit of Dwight Howard’s anemic performance against the Memphis Grizzlies, I started thinking about some of the NBA players who have not quite met lofty
expectations this season. These players aren’t necessarily in a slump, perhaps
just a slow start, but they have definitely not (yet) proven their weight in
terms of playing time, cash, or that hefty contract extension.

In contrast
to the Top Ten Resurgent Players (so far) who were mentioned two posts ago,
here are the Top Ten Disappointments (so far) of 2012-2013.

10. Isaiah Thomas (SAC) – (9.3ppg,
2.1apg, 1.3rpg)

After an
unexpectedly strong showing last season, the guard out of the University of
Washington was expected to breakout somewhat and close in on the numbers put up
by his more illustrious namesake, but he has so far been a classic case of the
“sophomore slump.” All his numbers are down from last season, with the dubious
exception of turnovers. Yikes.

9. Klay Thompson (GSW) – 14.3ppg,
3.7rpg, 2.3apg, 34.1 3pt%, 36.3 FG%

His scoring,
rebounding, and assists have actually gone up so far, but that’s easily
explained by his minutes jumping from 24 per game last season to his current 34
minutes per outing. His per minute production, however, has dipped
significantly, and so has his shooting. He shot better than 44% from the field
and 41% from three last season, but, as is shown above, he’s currently
converting at a much lower rate.

Klay Thompson's stats have not justified the
rise in his playing time this season.
(image by Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP)

8. Roy Hibbert (IND) – 9.6ppg, 8.7rpg,
1.5bpg, 37.9 FG%, 54.5 FT%

Hibbert has
scored in double-figures in Indiana’s last three games (including a
triple-double to boot!), but I’m still not convinced he’s put his slow start
behind him. He’s still shooting terribly from the floor and the line. He’s
still NOT rebounding as well as someone his size should. The plain and simple
fact is he’s just not fulfilling his potential. Far from it.

7. Carlos Boozer (CHI) – 13.3ppg,
8.9rpg, 43.9 FG%

I’ll give
props to the former Blue Devil big man for rebounding a bit better than
Hibbert, who’s 5 inches taller, but I’m sure Tom Thibodeau isn’t happy about
Boozer’s field goal shooting. Considering Derrick Rose still isn’t around to
take his 18 shots per game, Boozer should really be a bit more involved in the offense.

6. Manu Ginobili (SAS) – 9.9ppg,
4.0rpg, 2.4apg, 38.8 FG%, 29.7 3pt%

Manu’s
scoring has steadily dipped after scoring 17.4ppg in the 2010-2011 season. Now
that might be attributed to the fact that he’s nearing 36 years of age, but
nobody can also discount the growth of Kawhi Leonard and Danny Green. Both
Leonard and Green are playing significantly more minutes that Manu, which means
the Argentinian sensation is entering the twilight of his storied career.

5. Ersan Ilyasova (MIL) – 6.3ppg,
4.7rpg, 31.3 FG%, 25.0 3pt%

It’s very
strange that Ilyasova has been putting up some of his worst numbers after
signing a pretty hefty extension with the Bucks. This after recording
career-high stats last season, too! He’s norming about 6 points and 4 rebounds
less than last year, not to mention shooting at career-low rates. And, worst of
all, I have him in most of my Fantasy NBA teams! Boo that!!!

4. Gerald Wallace (BRK) – 7.3ppg,
4.0rpg, 3.0apg, 2.5 tpg

Wallace has
never put up stats this awful since leaving Sacramento in 2004. The perennial
triple-double threat and pinnacle of two-way basketball is now just a 30-year
old shadow of his old self. Those numbers, of course, will continue to stay at
really mediocre levels with the relatively efficient play of Andray Blatche and
Joe Johnson.

3. Ty Lawson (DEN) – 12.8ppg, 7.5apg,
2.0spg, 38.9 FG%, 28.1 3pt%

I remember
seeing Lawson’s name being floated around for All-Star considerations early in
2012, but I doubt he’ll continue to be involved in that conversation with his
current numbers. His assists and steals are career-highs, but his scoring,
rebounding, field goal shooting, and three-point accuracy are all significantly
down from last season.

2. Dwight Howard (LAL) – 18.2ppg,
10.9rpg, 2.8bpg, 3.4 tpg, 49.3 FT%

99.9% of big
men around the world would be considered AWESOME if they put up 18 points and
11 rebounds per game, but Howard is not part of that 99.9%. He’s the ultimate
big man exception. He’s the guy who normed 21 points and 14 rebounds for the
Magic last season. Yes, now he’s not the only All-Star level big guy on the
team, but he’s still the best center in the planet. The thing is, he’s just not
playing like he is. And those 3.4 turnovers per game coupled with his trademark
barf-worthy free throw shooting? Please.

With Joe
Johnson no longer around, it should have been easy to see Smith’s numbers climb
sky high, but, strangely enough, that has yet to happen. With Kyle Korver and
Lou Williams hogging the shots JJ used to have, Smith’s numbers should have at
least stayed the same, right? Wrong. The numbers are down, and not just his
scoring, too. Weirdly enough, his rebounding and assists are down and his
turnovers are up. What gives, Josh Smith?

Josh Smith isn't playing like the superstar he should be.
(image by David Tulis/AP)

Game
Recaps (courtesy of the Sports Network):

Atlanta 101, Charlotte 91

Al Horford
poured in a game-high 26 points and ripped down 13 rebounds as the Atlanta
Hawks knocked off the Charlotte Bobcats, 101-91, on Friday at Time Warner Cable
Arena. Horford added three blocks on the defensive end, while Kyle Korver
dropped four 3-pointers en route to 16 points and six boards for the Hawks, who
have won four in a row. Jeff Teague contributed 13 points and Josh Smith added
10 in the victory. Ramon Sessions scored a team-high 22 points, while Kemba
Walker and Jeff Taylor added 16 points apiece for the Bobcats, who had won five
of six coming in.

Orlando 108, Cleveland 104

J.J. Redick
went 8-of-8 from the foul line down the stretch to lift the Orlando Magic over
the Cleveland Cavaliers, 108-104. Redick ended with 18 points and six assists
off the bench for the Magic, who have won 10 in a row against Cleveland. Jameer
Nelson and Arron Afflalo each made four 3-pointers for 22 and 19 points,
respectively. Glen Davis added 16 points and eight rebounds for Orlando, which
has won two straight games for the second time this season. Dion Waiters made
four 3-pointers en route to 25 points for the Cavaliers, who have lost six
straight on the road. Anderson Varejao tallied 19 points and 17 boards.

Boston 108, Oklahoma City
100

Paul Pierce
scored 27 points and Jeff Green added 17 against his former team, as the Boston
Celtics downed the Oklahoma City Thunder, 108-100, at TD Garden. Kevin Garnett
chipped in 18 points and nine boards, while Jason Terry netted 16 points,
including a game-clinching 3- pointer down the stretch. Rajon Rondo kept his
double-digit assist streak going with 16 helpers to go with eight boards and
six points in the victory. Kevin Durant led Oklahoma City with 29 points, but
missed a potential tying 3- pointer with 1:14 remaining. Russell Westbrook
filled the stat sheet with 26 points, eight assists and seven boards in the
loss.

Brooklyn 86, LA Clippers 76

Brook Lopez
scored 26 points and sparked a strong late run that lifted the Brooklyn Nets to
an 86-76 win over the Los Angeles Clippers at the Barclays Center. Lopez made
two key baskets as part of a 12-2 spurt over the game's final four minutes as
the Nets ended a two-game slide that followed a string of five consecutive
victories. Joe Johnson knocked down a back-breaking 3-pointer during the
deciding stretch and finished with 19 points on 8-of-12 shooting. The Clippers
shot just 35.7 percent during a 13-point fourth quarter and turned the ball
over 20 times overall in suffering a second consecutive defeat after winning
six in a row. Blake Griffin and Chris Paul each had 14 points in the setback.
Paul added nine assists, while DeAndre Jordan posted 12 points and 13 rebounds
for Los Angeles.

Detroit 91, Toronto 90

Brandon
Knight penetrated the lane to score the game-winning layup, lifting the Detroit
Pistons to a 91-90 victory over the Toronto Raptors at the Palace of Auburn
Hills. Knight, who finished with 16 points, scored his final basket with the
Pistons trailing by one. He used a Greg Monroe pick to split the defense and
score the go-ahead layup with just over seven seconds remaining. For the second
game in a row, the Raptors lost a one-point contest in devastating fashion.
Kyle Lowry scored 19 points, but miss-fired on the Raptors' final two
possessions, the second bouncing off the back-rim and over the backboard to
seal the win for the Pistons. Andrea Bargnani poured in a game-high 34 points
on 13-of-20 shooting for Toronto, which has dropped eight of its last 10 games.

Houston 131, New York 103

Jeremy Lin
dominated the headlines coming into Friday's game between Houston and New York,
but Chandler Parsons stole the spotlight with a career-high 31 points on
13-of-17 shooting. Parsons added five rebounds, four assists, four steals and a
block in the Rockets' 131-103 victory over the Knicks. Lin ended with 13
points, seven rebounds and one steal against his former team. James Harden
added 33 points and went 16-of-16 from the foul line for the Rockets, who have
won six in a row against the Knicks. Carmelo Anthony made seven 3-pointers en
route to 37 points for New York, which has lost two straight for the first time
this season. Raymond Felton donated 17 points and eight assists.

San Antonio 104, Indiana 97

Tony Parker
put home a season-high 33 points and handed out 10 assists as the San Antonio
Spurs continued their recent dominance over the Indiana Pacers with a 104-97
victory on Friday at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Tim Duncan netted 22 points and
pulled down 17 rebounds, while Manu Ginobili added 19 points off the bench for
the Spurs, who have not lost to Indiana since April 1, 2007, a span of 11
consecutive games. Danny Green and Gary Neal contributed nine and eight points,
respectively, in the triumph. David West netted 22 points and grabbed eight
boards, while Paul George contributed 15 points for the Pacers, who had a brief
two-game winning streak snapped. George Hill and Roy Hibbert donated 11 and 10
points, respectively, in the setback.

Memphis 106, LA Lakers 98

Rudy Gay
finished with 21 points, eight rebounds and five assists to lead the Memphis
Grizzlies past the Los Angeles Lakers, 106-98, at FedExForum. Each member of
Memphis' starting lineup scored in double digits, as Mike Conley poured in 19
points, Zach Randolph had 17 points and 12 rebounds, Marc Gasol netted 14
points with eight assists and Tony Allen contributed 12 points for the
Grizzlies, who rebounded from their second loss of the season. Kobe Bryant
scored a game-high 30 points to pace Los Angeles, which dropped its second
straight contest. Metta World Peace and Antawn Jamison added 16 points apiece
in defeat.

Denver 102, Golden State 91

Andre
Iguodala poured in a season-high 29 points on Friday, as the Denver Nuggets
downed the Golden State Warriors, 102-91, at Pepsi Center. Danilo Gallinari
donated 20 points and seven rebounds, while Ty Lawson finished with 18 points
and nine assists to help the Nuggets earn their third straight victory. David
Lee recorded a double-double with 21 points and 10 boards and Carl Landry
chipped in 19 points and eight rebounds off the bench for the Warriors, who had
won four of their last five.

Utah 104, Sacramento 102

Gordon
Hayward drained the go-ahead basket with less than five seconds remaining and
the Jazz overcame a 13-point fourth quarter deficit to take a 104-102 decision
over the Sacramento Kings. Following an Aaron Brooks turnover, the Jazz had the
chance to hold for the final shot. Hayward, who has thrived since coming off
the bench, scored a game-high 23 points and buried a wide-open look off a
screen from 22-feet out to put the Jazz ahead. The Kings didn't have a timeout
to spare, but James Johnson hustled up the court and got in the paint for an
uncontested running layup, but it was too strong and Utah held on to stay
undefeated at home.

Phoenix 111, New Orleans 108
(OT)

The Phoenix
Suns haven't had great success at the start of this season, but proved once
again they can never be counted out of a game. Goran Dragic scored 16 of his 20
points in the second half and overtime as the Suns overcame a 19-point
third-quarter deficit to rally for a thrilling 111-108 victory over the New
Orleans Hornets at U.S. Airways Center. Markieff Morris established a
career-high with 23 points and knocked down a back-breaking 3-pointer with 49.9
remaining in overtime to help Phoenix notch its second consecutive victory, with
P.J. Tucker also setting a personal best with 15 points off the bench. The
Hornets were dealt their sixth consecutive defeat despite career performances
from Vasquez and Ryan Anderson. Anderson poured in 34 points while knocking
down 8-of-13 shots from beyond the arc, with Vasquez racking up 25 points and
14 assists.

Portland 103, Minnesota 95

Rookie
Damian Lillard scored a career-high 28 points on Friday night, as the Portland
Trail Blazers outlasted the Minnesota Timberwolves, 103-95, at Rose Garden.
Wesley Matthews paced Portland with 30 points, while J.J. Hickson donated a
double-double with 14 points and 13 rebounds to send the Trail Blazers to their
fourth win in their last five games. Kevin Love registered his second straight
double-double with 24 points and 13 rebounds in the setback, Minnesota's fourth
in a row.